Continuation of flashback…Finlay was completely frazzled by her beauty because he had seen a lot of maidens within and around Easton, but none had caught his eye the way this fright-driven, trembling girl did. So far, she was the fairest.He didn't know she was that beautiful and delicate until she took her veil off and spoke up when he was about to have his guards behead her father since the man owed him such a large amount of money. Finlay cleared his throat slowly, "you never told me you had such a daughter, O'Cleigh," his voice was low when he addressed her father with his eyes never leaving hers.Although he wasn't staring at her like he loved or listed after her. He looked at her like she was meant to be kept within his castle. Away from other men so he only would have access to her.Ophelia took a hard hurtful gulp because she didn't like this man, didn't like the way he was treating her father but she wouldn't blame him because O'Cleigh was the one at fault.He was being trea
It was remaining two days before they would reach south and Finlay had sat with his men once more for the last discussion on how to attack the Dark claw pack. They had the whole of that day to make plans and to start proceeding with them starting from the morrow, except they were still on with some arguments they had been having for the past three weeks."My lord, I am standing on my word regarding the giant, that's the only way we can break down the walls." Lord Wesley placed his wolf on the line leading to the backyard home of the giants where negotiations would be made."I beg to differ, our men aren't lambs awaiting to be sacrificed. We have to look for another way to break down the walls." Delta Lockwood clenched his jaw after letting everyone know his opinion, as he was against Wesley's idea."One giant can break through and kill over a hundred men within seconds." Wesley put his hand over the table and faced Delta Lockwood, "I'd advise you to think about this before you come up
Later that evening, they began with the plan after Finlay's men reluctantly accepted it. It was quite a tough one because it sounded too low to go against Alpha Williamsburg like that since it had to do with their lives.Mostly Delta Lockwood who had wanted Finlay to have Ophelia sent back to Easton right from the onset, he blatantly told Finlay that it would mean he was willing to risk the life of the Luna if he wanted to have her sent into the Williamsburg castle alone to put sleeping dozes into the guardsman drinks, and have them asleep whilst Finlay and his men would wait until she signals them through a three-eyed raven to show up and smite them all. But when they heard Ophelia speak, they had no choice but to agree with it. She spoke with so much wisdom that these men began wondering how in the hell she wasn't amongst them from the meetings right from the onset.She sounded as if she had things all planned out and Finlay marveled at the way Ophelia had addressed his men. He had
They reached South within thirty-nine hours and hopped out of the ships, before taking swims towards the seashore because they didn't want to be seen by Southerners. Finlay had given them the order to stop the ships farther away from land, that way it would be hard for these Southerners to know of their arrival. They reached the South late evening.They had their bags, swords, and everything else ready as they headed to the wall. Men were either thrilled or scared to have arrived South after a month of being on the seven seas. "My lord," Wesley called out to Finlay who was right in front of him with Ophelia, "this path leads to the backyard home of the giants," he added, jerking his finger in the direction of a forest with massive footprints, bones and pressed down trees. It was obvious these giants came out to the sea. They were outcasts of the south and lived in the forest. Some men stopped walking to have a look at this too and whispered amongst themselves because most of them ha
After dressing up, Ophelia found her way to the Williamsburg castle with the map that Finlay had handed her. The dress was so attractive that eyes rested on her and followed her into the castle. No one knew she was Alpha Finlay's wife who had come from the East. Because she had a mask on.She had this all planned from the onset and it was going on smoothly. No one had seen her break into the shop because she picked the lock. Finlay taught her how to pick locks with the claws of her wolf, a day ago. Something which had her wondering how cunning her husband was, because the old Finlay didn't know how to pick a lock. Lock picking was for thieves and spies. Could it be that he had learned it during the time he was held hostage by the barbarian pack members? The man was of many things. The old Finlay never had to pick a lock, he had access to anywhere of his choice because he was the Alpha of Alphas.Upon reaching the giant castle, Ophelia walked in as if she was used to the place. Pretendi
The hefty-looking guards threw Ophelia into the dungeon, slammed the door right in her face, and locked it.Although she had mild thoughts about this, she didn't even know she was going to end up there. Ophelia could feel her heart hammering down her chest as she backed the wall. She had failed. Hadn't even reached halfway through her plan when she got caught.Dancing ballet in that seductive custom had everyone's eyes glued to her, in the hall. Everything was going on smoothly and she had thought it would end well.If only she knew Alpha Williamsburg had a witch apart from his beta, things wouldn't have turned out bad for her. No one in the South was familiar with ballet and she had danced so well, capturing the Alpha's attention in the process when the jealous witch consulted her gods, made some findings about her within seconds, and knew what she was up to. They had some witches in the Crimson Paw pack, but Finlay never went to them after his return. It was as if he was avoiding
"Long time no see, Finlay," Alpha Williamsburg stopped his horse half a yard away from Finlay along with his men. It was quite a distance between them, so he had to shout.Ophelia had her heart in her throat. Being held by the enemy of her husband while he was right there was maddening. Tears threatened to blur her vision and she fought them back because she didn't want to have Finlay worried as he already was. "Although, I wasn't expecting you to sail all the way from Easton to come attack me in my own pack, well I must say you're still very brave. Plus you look half the man you were," this time, wiping the horse's back and the horse neighed before raising his fours up and throwing Ophelia, who was tied to him, over the ground dirt.Men around Alpha Williamsburg laughed, amused by what he just did to the Luna of the Crimson Paw pack right in front of the Alpha. It was insulting. Ophelia knew she wouldn't be handed to Finlay with ease. This man wanted to kill her husband, perhaps he m
"Have all you men retreat, Cameron," Alexander directed this order to Finlay who was a few meters away from Alpha Williamsburg.Having the ice dragon show up was confusing to Finlay because he was against them in Oceanfait, and tried to take Ophelia along with him. And then it dawned on Finlay why the Dragon came, Ophelia had screamed his name."Now, Cameron, except you want them all to die." Alexander was still in the air, flapping his white bat wings.Ophelia on the other hand had managed to seat upright with her hands still tied to the horse. She gave Finlay a go-ahead nod and he almost wept to see his wife looking completely different from the woman he was used to. She was stained with dirt and blood, had a handful of her hair ripped out from her scalp, and blood was gushing out from that part unendingly. Finlay let his eyes shift over to Layla, whom he knew was behind it. And he made a mental vow to kill her."Retreat!" Finlay barked this command at his men and they began fleeing
Six months later…Cameron was tense the entire time he heard Ophelia's screams from her room. She had been in labor for three good hours, and he was starting to feel unsettled the entire time. Pacing to and fro with his hands right behind him and his lips in a thin grim line. He was a powerful man with exceedingly great might, feared and loved by many because he led men to war in the south, past the seven treacherous seas. But there he was, trembling like a culprit who was sentenced to death. And it was all because of his wife.No one had any idea Ophelia would be in labor that day. They had woken up beside each other, had breakfast together, and gone to take a look at the new packhouse that was being built when Ophelia stopped walking and told him her water just broke.She was rushed into a carriage and taken back to the castle, through a gurney because she couldn't walk. The contractions seemed to be coming. Cameron had never seen Ophelia look so scared in his life. And it made him
Men were carrying Cameron's unconscious body through a gurney and Ophelia was beside them, running along because she feared for his life. This was like the third time they had been through into such a position, except it was way worse. Cameron had never been beaten and injured like this before.Ophelia swallowed hard, not wanting to cry because it would make her seem weak. She wanted to be strong for Cameron because she strongly believed he would survive.It was all over, with most of Alpha Bailey's men dead and a few running off because Ronan and his men had come to join the unexpected war. Ophelia's eyes caught something that made her steps falter and the men who were carrying Cameron's body left her. It was Lewis, who was over the floor next to a few dead bodies and fire. She looked completely exhausted with blood gushing from her stomach and mouth."Lewis!" Ophelia dashed toward her side and gathered her head in her hands. She didn't even know when she did it, because seeing Lew
Ophelia wondered if the gods were against her having happiness to her fill. She had suffered in making everyone discover that Cameron was Finlay's twin and he was the rightful heir to the Alpha throne. Then she proceeded to tell him that she was pregnant, only to have Alpha Bailey show up in the middle of it all.She bit down on her bottom lip from where she was hiding behind Cameron. Because the man who had killed his twin had come for him too."I told the members of this pack that you're mine to kill," Alpha Bailey kissed his teeth as he took another step toward Cameron whose wolf was starting to surface because he wanted to fight."It seemed as though you're Finlay's twin after all and you want to claim his throne, take his woman as well,""This face is the last thing you'll see before you die a horrible death," Cameron growled and immediately took the form of his wolf before lunging at Alpha Bailey.Alpha Bailey shifted too and went crashing into Cameron, something which made Ca
Ophelia ran after Cameron upon seeing him leave. She couldn't understand why a cloud befell his face after the truth was out and everyone had bowed to him. She had expected him to be happy at least. But he surprised her and every one by walking away as if everything meant nothing to him.She caught up with him before he could reach the gate that had guards already bowing to him.Cameron.. she tried to call his name but her voice wasn't giving out. She had lost it after shouting a lot in the courtyard because of the explaining she did.And Cameron stopped because her hand had grasped his elbow. He wanted to be away from everything and everyone, and there she was.Ophelia's heart rose in her chest when he turned and let his tearful eyes meet hers. It made her emotional to see him like that because she knew why he was like that.She knew it had to do with her explanation to the crowd and she hated the fact that her voice wasn't working. This man deserved so much more than he could ever
The following day.Cestus had a wicked glint in his eyes as he put his hands together and in front of him, watching the crowd pouring into the courtyard wearing their cloaks because it was snowing. They had come to witness the killing of Cameron Snow, the man who had impersonated Finlay, his late brother and former Alpha of the Crimson Paw. It was dawn, and nearing nine. Cestus had an under butler holding onto a clock beside him, whilst he waited. He wanted the time to hit nine and then he would order for the execution of Cameron Snow. Hamilton, the head butler was perplexed. It was clearly written on his face that he didn't want the death of Cameron to take place, be him an Impostor. So many of the servants were unsettled as well because Cameron was good to them. The best Alpha they ever had. Elder Adolphus exchanged a glance with someone in the crowd and the man nodded at him. No one knew what these two had planned.Cestus kissed his teeth and fixed his gaze on the heavy wall cl
The journey to Kathleen's home was quicker than expected. Ophelia and the people who had accompanied her reached there within five hours. And on the outskirts of Silverline pack sat a small cottage that looked like it hadn't been occupied by the presence of a person in ages. To think Kathleen had lived there because of her hardheadedness. Her refusal to let her pride down and settle whatever quarrel she had with her husband. No one knew what had happened between the two, but it did seem like a huge fight which was the whole thing that made them part ways. A dull pain spread through Ophelia's chest as she hopped off her horse and neared the cottage because Cameron had lived there as a child. As a child who had no clue that he was an Alpha's first son and heir to the Alpha throne in the Crimson Paw pack, Easton. "Wait," Lewis stopped Ophelia upon seeing how she was about to make her way in, "you wouldn't know what is inside waiting for someone. Catidy perhaps," she pointed out beca
After spending the next day in search of the midwife, they found her at last. Through some wolf-less beggars along the way. Thankfully, Ronan's men had arrived so Alpha Caden couldn't send his men after then. Lewis Duncan had come in handy at the right time. She and the rest of the men were asked to wait outside whilst Ophelia was ushered in to meet with the aging woman who had gray hair and could barely see. Lady Leslie lived alone even though she was old and needed support. It seemed as though she was a thoughtful woman because she looked in Ophelia's direction for a long time. "I was told that you came to see me," she said at last, after staring at Ophelia to her fill. "Yes, my lady," came the response from Ophelia. "May I know who you are?" Lady Leslie inquired almost immediately. "I am Ophelia, my lady. From the Crimson Paw pack," Ophelia answered, rubbing the side of her arm as she looked around the small room. "Why are you here?" Lady Leslie asked quickly once more. O
Ophelia struggled to break free from where she had her hands tied to the bedpost. She was in the chamber of the cruel Alpha Caden, on top of his king-sized bed. And it was exasperating to the bone that he had his men tie her to his bedpost because he wanted to have his way with her. Ophelia knew she couldn't let him touch her, it was insane. She belonged to another. Was carrying the child of Cameron. She had come to the Silverline pack because she wanted some information that she could gather as evidence that Cameron was Finlay's twin and the eldest. The rightful Alpha of the Crimson Paw pack. Alpha Caden made his way into his chambers, with that sick smirk never leaving his face. "You'd make things easier for yourself if you stop struggling. Because it'd be of no help to you, I'd have you either way," Alpha Caden smiled sickly at Ophelia. At last, he would have her to himself. The beautiful, beautiful woman. She had caught his eyes even when Finlay was alive. But he had kept his
Cameron wondered if Ophelia was safe, wherever she was. He didn't trust those men she was with, they could try to take advantage of her upon seeing she was the only woman in their midst. He didn't like that she would feel alone, he wouldn't be there to protect her if someone wanted to touch or hurt her. But he had to let Cestus's men take him away because he had an ulterior motive. He was in his old dungeon once more, the place he had been freed from barely twenty-four hours ago. Ophelia didn't waste her efforts to bring him out, they had met and made up. It was a good thing to happen. The thought of Ophelia sending men to come rescue him still baffled him. How in the seven hells was she able to convince those men into sneaking into the Dupree's castle to liberate him from where he was locked in? Ophelia was brave since he went to Easton to impersonate Finlay. She started coming out of her shell the night she took a boat and sailed after his ship because she wanted to be with him